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Marco Scutaro of the San Francisco Giants holds up the MVP trophy after the Giants defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Although foreign policy is hugely important, the economy now seems monolithic. Plus, the differences between the candidates in the Third and final Presidential Debate were less sharply drawn. Their volleys about the economy in Debates One and Two were more distinct and seemed more vital. Besides, most of the novelty of the First and Second debates was over.

The format for Round Three was supposed to be the same as that of the First Debate. Yet in Round One the candidates stood on stage. The seated newsroom set the third time around was somehow less Presidential. And unlike the Town Hall of the Second Debate which had Candy Crowley excelling as a modern-day Town Crier, CBS’ seated Bob Schieffer of Face the Nation was newsroom-esque and, well, dry. See Third Debate Verdict: Bob Schieffer Is No Candy Crowley.

Dry was one thing the Giants were not. They wowed fans with a 9-0 win in a veritable Monsoon to clinch the National League Pennant and earn a trip to The World Series. The Giants made you feel good to be American, a feel-good glow it seemed rather difficult to get from either Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama if you changed channels.

Sure, it might have been the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, as Mr. Schieffer pointed out in his opening. But we seemed greater then, somehow more steadfast. We had grander concerns and were less ever-mindful of tweets and sound bytes. If you want a worrying and yet pride-inducing account of that key foreign policy close call, it’s worth watching Thirteen Days. Even if you don't especially like Kevin Costner, you will feel proud.

For me, though, the two best moments of the evening were simple. First was the Seventh Inning Stretch when Brian McKnight sang 'God Bless America'. Then there was end of the game with what seemed to be genuine outpourings of emotion, gratitude and team spirit from Marco Scutaro (Series MVP), Sergio Romo and many others.

It didn't seem to be about money or fame or statistics. It seemed to be about the joy and fulfillment of doing your best. Not alone but as part of family, of something larger yet even more close-knit. It is about not wanting to let others down, of the sum being larger than the pieces. It felt American, and despite all of our problems and obstacles, that felt pretty good.

Robert W. Wood practices law with Wood LLP, in San Francisco. The author of more than 30 books, including Taxation of Damage Awards & Settlement Payments (4th Ed. 2009 with 2012 Supplement, Tax Institute), he can be reached at Wood@WoodLLP.com. This discussion is not intended as legal advice, and cannot be relied upon for any purpose without the services of a qualified professional.